Picture of the front view of the first generation version of the Bose Wave Music System.

Bose Wave Music System Review

Here, we offer our Bose Wave music system review. This, the first version of the Bose Wave system looks like a more traditional hi fi stereo outfit. It costs about as much.

Its performance, for its size, might leave even the most seasoned audiophile breathless.  The small speakers makes lots of firm but by no means muddy bass.  But no, this all-in-one sound system will not rattle your teeth and shake your chest (much). But otherwise, it sounds like a discrete component stereo.

This original model has a thick plastic case. And unlike separate hi-fi components, it has no buttons on the unit proper that often wear out. It features the following.

    1. A high quality audio amplifier.
    2. Sensitive stereo FM and AM tuner.
    3. A CD player.
    4. A clock that you can set to wake you to your favorite radio station or CD.
    5. And the small but big sounding speakers.
    6. Folded waveguide technology.

Bose does a great job at packaging a pretty decent component-grade stereo setup into this all-in-one sound system.  It sounds as good as the better stereo boom boxes. Yet it takes up much less space. This Bose Wave product is a glorified clock radio. It has a CD boom box, and sensitive radio tuner, put all together into a single package. Plus you can manage it all with the accessory remote.

We got to play with one of these during a vacation trip. This product so interested us that we spent several days listening and messing around with it.  Find out what we found below.

Picture of the front of the Bose Wave Music System.
Front View of the Bose Wave Music System.

Bose Wave Music System Review: Features, Benefits, Pros, Advantages

Compact, Full-Featured Remote Control

The remote works well, even across large rooms.  Controllable functions via this remote include…

    1. Power ON OFF.
    2. Sleep.
    3. Mute.
    4. Input selection.
    5. AM FM band choosing.
    6. Volume UP DOWN.
    7. Selection and setting of radio station presets.
    8. Seek and CD track advance.
    9. Play / Pause.
    10. Eject.
    11. Radio power.
    12. Setting of the clock.
    13. Wake time alarm.
    14. Wake up radio station setting.

Quiet Operation

Silent clock when the rest of the system is off. We heard no hum from either the speakers or from inside, even within inches of it.  Put this sound system as close to your bed as you like, and yet it won’t keep you awake.

AM / PM or Military Style Time Modes

Selectable 12 or 24 hour time-of-day display modes.

Bose Wave Music System Review: Plays Several Music Sources

Available built-in music sources include a front loading, single-disc-at-a-time CD player, and an AM and FM tuner radio.  Also has one Stereo 3.5 millimeter aux  line level input. Use this to play from an iPod, Zune, Echo Dot, or most any other line level source.

Supports Some Data CD Formats

Plays standard as well as MP3 CDs.





TRS AUX Output

There’s also a 3.5mm audio output jack that accepts today’s headphones and earbuds. Or, the signals here can be fed to a larger amplifier and speakers, for an even bigger sound.

Bose Wave Music System Review: Exceptional Bass Response

This Bose tabletop stereo system has surprisingly rich and fairly full high fidelity sound. That’s a pleasant surprise with its small table radio like size.

Powerful Onboard Audio Amplifier

The integrated amplifier inside well drives the speakers to room filling volumes.  This thing cag play quite loudly; loud enough to completely engulf a ten foot by thirty foot room.  Punchy enough for small dance parties.

Practically No Configuration Required to Start Playing It

Setup is simple, Simple, SIMPLE. And you don’t need to do much setup if you just want to start jamming right away. But eventually, you may want to set the current time or create wake alarms. Or maybe add radio station presets. Whatever you want, you can do quickly via the easy-to-operate remote controll.

Twelve Station Memories

Six AM and six FM radio presets. These let you jump to a station, just by pressing a single button.  So this works like the presets in a car radio.

Bose Wave Music System Review: Coaxial External Antenna Port

75 ohm antenna connection. But when you don’t have an external antenna, the radio uses the power cord as an FM aerial.





Bose Link Support

Features a Bose Link port. So this allows this component to work as part of a multi component sound system.

Detachable AC Cord

Removable, and as such, replaceable power cord.

Remembers Settings During Power Failures

Remembers programmed settings and alarm times for up to 48 hours during loss of power.

Auto Brightness Adjustment

Automatic dimming and brightening of the big, easy-to-read electronic  display.

Bose Wave Music System Review: Multiple Case Colors

Available in white and dark gray case colors.

Generous Return Policy

If you buy one but do not like it within thirty days, you can return it for a full refund.

Picture of the back of the unit.
Rear view of the unit.

Bose Wave Music System Review – Concerns, Disadvantages, Cons, and Problems

Pricey

So the cheapest price we could find for this player is on Amazon Marketplace as of this writing. That is $249. Plus, due to the lack of controls, this stereo tuner, amp, and speaker system seems pricey.  But we would feel much more eager about paying $149 for it.  Then again though, $249 is likely not a terribly high price, as many have paid close to $500 for this.

Remote Needed for Full Access to Music System Features

The sound system itself has no operating controls. Now you do need remote to access all functions therefore. So, do not lose it!





Remote Easy to Misplace

The remote occupies about the same surface area as a debit card, and is almost as thin as well.  As a result, it can easily slide between the couch cushions or behind the mattress.  Easy to lose due to its thin form factor.

Bose Wave Music System Review: No Sound Equalizer Controls

No bass, midrange, or treble adjustments either on the unit or on the remote. In fact, we could lower the bass only by turning on the Talk Radio mode.  This definitely cuts the low frequency output a bit. Yet it seems to have no effect on the treble.

No iPod / iPhone Dock

You cannot connect iPods without buying an iPod dock to 3.5mm TRS plug.  Thus, this unit does not support iPod charging.

Limited Audio Input Options

There’s only one AUX input.  But with so many media players, portable CD machines, and so on, at least three auxiliary inputs would be nice.

Small Sound Stage

Due to the close proximity of the left and right speakers, the stereo separation and imaging  is only so effective.  Move just several feet away from the Wave Sound System, and you lose all perceptions of stereo sound.  Stereophonic completely melts down into monophonic at less than ten feet away.

No Magnetic “phono” Level Inputs

Unfortunately, you can’t play a turntable through this unit without an external amp. But you’d need this to boost the very low-level cartridge output signals up to AUX line level for vinyl play.





Not Built These Days

No longer marketed by Bose, as of 2012.

Picture of the remote control, front view.
The remote control, front view.

Bose Wave Music System Review: Our Rating

Finally, the  first generation of the Bose Wave Music System is a decent product. People know it for its great sound quality, and on the whole, we’d agree.  Indeed we like its pushy bass, projecting midrange, and non harsh treble. So this product qualifies as one of  the highest performance clock radios we’ve ever tested. So it’s a pretty good all-in-one stereo system in general. But our most serious objection is the high price.  All things considered however, we’d be happy to own this piece of serious audio equipment.  Thus our product rating is 93 out of 100.

Picture of the underside label on the Bose Wave Music System.
Underside label on the Bose Wave Music System.

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    3. Denon S-32 WiFi Music System Review

References for this Bose Wave Music System Review

    1. Bose Wave Music System   on Wikipedia
    2. Where to Buy the Bose Wave Music System, First Version